February 22 - March 7, 2008
Eugene, OR
Forgiveness is a complicated, subtle, and profound subject and one that we touch upon in one way or another in all our lives. It is difficult to go through life without having hurt someone and without having been harmed by another. What do we do in these circumstances? Is forgiveness a factor? When? When not? What is forgiveness? What do we mean by it? What does it or can it do for us? What are the necessary conditions for it? How does it relate to our lives and how do we relate to it?
Realms of Forgiveness: An Opportunity for Dialogue is intended to be an opportunity for people to come together to consider these questions, to think about forgiveness in our own lives, in the lives of our communities, and in society at large. An opportunity to reflect quietly and to discuss with others.
Realms of Forgiveness, co-sponsored by the University of Oregon's Master's Degree program in Conflict and Dispute Resolution and Community Mediation Services of Eugene, is a two-week series of free presentations, workshops, panel discussions, and a short film series on the topic of forgiveness. The program will be anchored by an exhibit of The Forgiveness Project (www.theforgivenessproject.com), The F-Word: Photos and Stories of Forgiveness, that will hang for the full two weeks at the Fenario art gallery at 881 Willamette Street in Eugene.
Included in the program:
- A presentation by international speaker, teacher, and early founder of the restorative justice movement, Mark Umbreit on "The Paradox of Forgiveness: What Family Survivors of Homicide Have Taught Us"
- Key note address by Azim Khamisa, founder of the Tariq Khamisa Foundation, on "Restorative Justice: A New Paradigm for Social Transformation"
- A key note address by Aqeela Sherrills: "Wounds to Warriors: Healing the Trauma of Social Violence"
- Michelle LeBaron, noted author, teacher, and director of the Conflict Resolution program at the University of British Columbia, leading a workshop on interfaith reconciliation
- Ted Lewis, director of the Restorative Justice program at Community Mediation Services of Eugene, and Rebecca Hiers on the role of apology in a forgiveness process. Click here for more information
- Rebecca Hiers, author, mediator, and teacher, on the steps through a forgiveness process (Please note, this workshop requires pre-registration. Places are limited. Call Ted Lewis at 344-5366 to register.) Click here for more information
- Tim Hicks, Director of the UO Masters degree program in Conflict and Dispute Resolution, on the role of forgiveness in dealing with the climate change crisis. Click here for more information
- Robert Gould, Director of the PSU graduate program in Conflict Resolution, on the role of forgiveness in mediation. Click here for more information
- A panel of psychotherapists on the subject of forgiveness and healing. Click here for more information
- High school essay contest on the subject of forgiveness. Go here for the announcement flyer and here for the rules.
- A film series showing films addressing the subject of forgiveness
A profile of Dr. Umbreit is available online
Azim and Aqeela are both featured in the Forgiveness Project exhibit (hung at the Fenario Art Gallery for the full two weeks).
You can read about Aqeela's story online.
You can read about Azim's story online.
These are moving and profound stories.
For more information, contact Tim Hicks.
Calendar of Events
See the calendar for a full schedule of events.Featured Exhibit
- The F-Word: Photos and Stories of Forgiveness Fenario Gallery, 881 Willlamette, Eugene
Featured Presenters
- Mark Umbreit, Ph.D. Early pioneer of the restorative justice movement. Professor Umbreit will speak on "The Paradox of Forgiveness: What Family Survivors of Homicide Have Taught Us."
- Azim Khamisa Founder of the Tariz Kamisa Foundation. Mr. Khamisa will speak on "Restorative Justice: A New Paradigm for Social Transformation."
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Aqeela Sherrills
Former Crips gang member and currently working for peace and reconciliation at the Watts-based Community Self-Determination Institute. Mr. Sherrills will speak on "Wounds to Warriors: Healing the Trauma of Social Violence"
Co-sponsored by the UO Masters Degree program in Conflict and Dispute Resolution and Community Mediation Services of Eugene, with generous support from the Northwest Institute for Conflict Resolution, the UO Humanities Center, the UO Law School ADR Center, the Jubitz Family Foundation, the Savage Endowment for International Relations and Peace, the UO offices of the President and Vice-president, First Congregational Church, the UO Canadian Studies program, Fenario Art Gallery, the UO Sociology Department, Joanna Hoskins, Leslie Brockelbank, the Eugene Mennonite Church, The Center for the Study of Women in Society and Women and Gender Studies, the Peace and Conflict Studies Consortium, and mediate.com.
